Parents of Henrico County Public Schools voice issues with school buses

HENRICO, VA (WWBT) -

Parents of Henrico County students were in the driver's seat Wednesday night. They drove their concerns about their children's school buses all the way to the top of the ladder - sitting down with transportation supervisors and superintendents about problems happening this school year.

Parents sat in small groups, even one-on-one, giving them the opportunity to voice their concerns in a more personal way.

"It's a good turnout I think there's a lot of problems and people are willing to sit down and work it out," said Tony Turner, a parent at Tuckahoe Middle School.

Turner is worried about his daughter's walk to the bus stop.

"There are no sidewalks and there are ditches on either side, so we're not only concerned about her stepping off into the ditch but a car hitting her," said Turner.

Safety was a big concern but so was the issue of students getting to school on time.

Gary smith says his two boys at Byrd Middle School, often have to break a sweat to get to class on time - thanks to the bus driver.

"Mainly the buses arriving late in the morning and even when they're on time they're have trouble getting off the bus and getting to their classes on time," said Smith.

Getting to class on time was a hot topic, but parents also worried about their kids getting home after school - on time.

The biggest problem parents say they have is that kids are getting off the school bus late. School officials say with 48,000 students in the district, give us some time and we'll get things right.

Get things right, especially at Freeman High School, Tuckahoe and Byrd middle schools, and Ridge and Davis elementary schools, where officials acknowledge buses run late.

"I think they were very accommodating, I think we're going to hear something," said Turner.

"Very helpful, I'm very impressed with the software they have and trying to resolve the problems," said Smith.

Now that school officials have heard the parent's side of things - Henrico schools say they'll be meeting with the bus drivers Thursday. In Henrico alone, there are 550 drivers and school buses.

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